Quintus Aurelius Symmachus → destinatário desconhecido
Tradução moderna em inglês
I'm staying at my country house outside the city. The hassles of urban life have worn me out, and I'm enjoying the pleasant renewal that a villa offers in autumn. Better still, friends keep arriving, which gives me the kind of company that in Rome counts as the only real mark of distinction. But our little granddaughter Galla's illness has badly shaken the peace of my retreat. I pray that divine help will bring timely good news about her recovery.
As for you, my dear daughter, please make sure to let me know day by day how much her health improves. It will be proof of your devotion to me if you look after her recovery and keep me informed with welcome reports.
Texto latino / grego
In suburbano dego secessu. nam et urbanarum taedet molestiarum et villae autumno commodae iucunda instauratione delector. praeterea frequentiam mihi, quae sola Romae honorabilis iudicatur, amicorum praestat adventus. sed non mediocriter nepticulae meae Gallae infirmitas conturbat otii nostri securitatem; de qua nt matnre votiva et commoda nuntietis, opitulatio divina praestabit. tibi autem) domina^lia, lo quantum in dies singulos refectionis accedat, quaeso curae habeas indicare. erit hoc testimonium religiosi in me animi tui, si et consulueris sanitati et in no^centiam meam placitura pertuleris. XXXIU (XXXnil) a. 401.